Page 81 of The Night Rising

“That’s Paimon,” Ariella said. “He used Minsi as bait.”

Oh, hell no. A growl ripped through my throat as I ran and shifted mid-stride. My clothes ripped into pieces and fell to the ground. I pumped my legs as fast as I could, leaving my friends behind.

Don’t go in there alone, Dom said in my mind.

Wait for us, Hamill said.

If it’s a trap, then don’t fall for it, Lucille added. Be smart!

Smart? Right now? All I could think about was getting my hands around Paimon’s throat and ripping it open. It was a shame that might not kill him. But I would find a way, because tonight, I would put an end to him.

The flap of wings sounded overheard—Kaz in his dragon shifter form, flying toward the village. Apparently, I wouldn’t be the first one to get there.

A scream echoed from the village and I ran faster. My legs faltered when I saw a handful of wolves fighting a dozen demons in the street in front of my house. They were here. They were really here.

A bright light came from the back of the house.

There.

I wanted to stay and help everyone, but I couldn’t. I had to make choices and right now, Raika was it. I turned to the side of the house and went to the back.

The scene in front of me almost paralyzed me—a circle of demons in the backyard. Rue in her wolf form, her side bleeding as she snapped at demons trying to advance on a crying Minsi. Tyren in his wolf form on the ground several feet to the side, unmoving. And Paimon right in the center, holding Raika by her throat.

And absorbing her magic?

I pushed harder, broke through the wall of demons around the backyard, and jumped at Paimon’s side.

He lost his grip on Raika and she fell to the ground. Before he could turn to her again, I lunged at him and bit his arm. Paimon screamed. He pushed his hand out and a darkfire bolt zipped to me. I twisted my body, but not enough. The bolt grazed my shoulder and I yelped, letting go of him.

I growled at him, ready to go again.

A light bolt zipped through the air and hit Paimon in the chest. He scrambled back and my friends ran at him. The demons surged forward, trying to stop their attack, and I realized this gave me a breather.

I turned to Raika.

She sat up with a groan as I leaned over her. She reached up and caressed my neck as I nuzzled her. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice weak. “Not in the best shape, but fine.” She rested her head on mine. “I knew you were coming.”

I licked her cheek and she smiled at me.

A grunt came from the side and I took a moment to look around. Kaz and Ariella fought Paimon, while Hamill and Lucille helped Rue with the demons, and Dom checked on Tyren. My brother stood on shaky legs.

Tyren, are you okay? I asked through the mind link.

I’ll survive, he said.

Norah and Doreen had stayed back, trying to contain the demons in front of the house, but now they all ran back—and Prince Cain and five of his vampires zoomed alongside them.

The battle around us intensified.

Paimon threw a wave of dragon magic at us. We all jumped back, trying to avoid it. He then used that second to open a green portal behind him—and those ugly creatures stepped out from it.

Shit. Rue and Lucille, get Minsi out of here, I ordered. Dom and Hamill, let’s get these monsters. Tyren, stay with Raika.

Yelps of agreement sounded in the night.

Dom, Hamill, and I joined the others trying to contain the demons and Huddyriuns who kept surging from the portal with their crude weapons—how many freaking allies did Paimon have?

I wanted to switch my attention back to Paimon, but with so many enemies attacking us, it would be impossible.